Accident Details
On November 7, 2011, about 1830 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 207 airplane, registration N6314H, sustained substantial damage during a collision with snow-covered terrain following a loss of control shortly after takeoff from Runway 15 at Kwigillingok Airport, Kwigillingok, Alaska. The airplane was operated by Hageland Aviation Services, Inc., doing business as ERA Alaska, as a visual flight rules scheduled commuter flight under 14 CFR Part 135. Of the six people aboard, the commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured, and three passengers sustained minor injuries. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated in Bethel, Alaska, and had completed scheduled stops in Kongiganak and Kwigillingok before the accident occurred while returning to Bethel.
Pilot Report
During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on November 8, the pilot reported that before departing on Runway 15, an unlighted, rough and uneven 1,840-foot-long by 30-foot-wide snow-covered runway, he checked the airport windsock and noted that a correction for a 5 to 10 knot left quartering crosswind would be required. He said that during the takeoff roll, the airplane bounced twice and became airborne, but it failed to climb. As the airplane neared the departure end of the runway, it began to veer to the left. The pilot applied full right aileron to correct the veer, but the airplane continued to the left as it passed over the runway threshold. He stated that once he knew the airplane was not going to climb, he lowered the flaps in an attempt to cushion the off-airport landing. The airplane subsequently settled into an area of snow and tundra-covered terrain about 100 yards south of the runway threshold and nosed over.
Weather and Airport Information
Sunset on the day of the accident was 1742; the end of civil twilight was 1829. The FAA's Airport/Facility Directory Alaska Supplement listing for Kwigillingok Airport includes the notation: "Airport Remarks - Unattended. Night operations prohibited, except rotary wing aircraft. Runway condition not monitored, recommend visual inspection prior to using. Safety areas eroded and soft. Windsock unreliable." The closest weather reporting facility was Kipnuk Airport, about 26 miles west of the accident site. At 1856, an Aviation Routine Weather Report reported wind from 010 degrees true at 4 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 19°F, dew point 18°F, altimeter 30.14 inHg. A pilot flying a Cessna 208 that departed about 30 minutes before the accident airplane reported wind from the east-southeast at 10 knots, favoring Runway 15.
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage was recovered from the accident site and transported to Alaska Claims Services, Inc., in Wasilla, Alaska. On January 26, 2012, a wreckage examination and layout was conducted under the direction of the NTSB IIC, with air safety investigators from Continental Motors, Cessna Aircraft, the FAA, and the director of safety for Hageland Aviation Services present. No preaccident mechanical problems were discovered with the airplane's engine or flight controls.